CHICAGO -- Everything comes to end, including UE's months-long search for the next men's basketball head coach that turned into a lumbering circus with a cast full of big names and reluctant candidates.
On Thursday afternoon -- finally, mercifully -- white smoke billowed out of the university's chimney on the heels of announcing Jack Santiago's replacement.
With zero political backing from chief UE booster Tanduay and school officials, Gavina wasn't the early favorite to annex the job. But the former chemist is unquestionably one of the, if not the, best credentialed.
READ: Chris Gavina as new UE head coach made official
With tours of duty in the PBA and overseas, Gavina has a body of work anchored on the ethos of teaching and old-fashioned hard work. He was also a star player at a college in Hoboken, New Jersey.
DAY ONE OF A NEW BEGINNING.
"Nothing is ever promised except change," he told me in a telephone interview when asked if he can end UE's 15-year Final Four drought that almost ended in Season 87 before ultimately falling one game short.
"The things I would implement to help UE get over the hump would be to strengthen our team identity to be one of the most disciplined and tenacious defensive-minded teams in the UAAP."
Gavina also said he will foster a culture embracing the tenets of "courage, positive attitude, respect in delivering excellence, relentless effort and mental toughness."
After signing his contract, P300,000 a month for three years according to my sources, Gavina met with the team, signaling the beginning of a new era at Recto.
Phenom Sports, which represents UE's top players including Precious Momowei and John Abate, had threatened to pull out its best players if a coach it didn't endorse was hired.
NO HOLDING BACK.
Gavina isn't sweating, let alone losing sleep over the potential exodus.
"If they don't want to be here, we won't hold them back," he quipped.
READ: UE choice of next coach may dictate if Momowei & Co. will stay or go
Alex Cabagnot, a long time PBA player who's currently with Converge, will be in Gavina's staff as special assistant and active head of operations for men's basketball.
A nine-time PBA champ and eight-time All-Star, Cabagnot is more decorated than a Christmas tree and his wealth of experience and ties with Fil-Am Select will certainly help Gavina navigate a tough, unfamiliar terrain.
RJ Argamino, Paulo Hubalde, KG Canaleta, Rob Labagala and Melvin Reyes are among the assistant coaches.
As the seven other UAAP teams have already begun practicing weeks ago, UE has a lot of catching up to do.
But with the energy and enthusiasm of the 46-year-old Gavina leading the charge, there's a great chance the Red Warriors will eventually catch-up and hopefully, string together a Season 88 full of cheers than tears.
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